Doncaster Knights vs Hartpury: Match Preview

The 2026/27 Elior Champ Rugby season is underway, and the first week showed why it’s one you won’t want to miss. Home and away fans were treated to plenty of thrilling, high-scoring action, with three games decided by just three points or fewer. 

But what lies ahead for week two? One clash to look out for is Doncaster Knights vs Hartpury. Hartpury started their season strongly, while the Knights will be looking to regroup quickly in front of home fans at Castle Park. 

Tune in to BLAZE on Sunday 27th September to catch the action live from 3:30pm. Ahead of the fixture, we preview both teams’ chances and some of the storylines to follow.

The two clubs enter the matchup after wildly contrasting opening weekends. 

Doncaster Knights made the long journey home after enduring a bruising lopsided defeat to the Cornish Pirates at Mennaye Field.

The Knights showed strong early form to keep the Pirates honest, with the score tied at 19-all early in the second half, courtesy of two tries from Jasper McGuire. That was as good as it would get for the visitors, as their chances quickly evaporated in the final 30 minutes. 

The Knights were overwhelmed by four maul tries from the Pirates’ Matt Pritchard, and their miseries were compounded further by two successive yellow cards. The 45-19 loss is one they’ll be determined to put behind them this weekend.

Meanwhile, Hartpury heads to Doncaster after winning an edge-of-your-seat thriller by just two points over Caldy. They had looked comfortable for much of the contest, leading at the 55th minute by a score of 28-12, before further extending that to 35-19 courtesy of Will Crane. 

But then Caldy almost staged a remarkable fightback, with Ollie Hearn, Cal Ridgway and Ollie Wynn all contributing in the late stages. Yet it was Harry Bazalgette who sealed the victory for Hartpury. Last season’s top-point scorer opened his account with no less than six perfect conversions, helping his side hang on for a 42-40 final score.

Doncaster's opening-day defeat in Penzance means Sunday will be the first chance for fans to see Dean Richards' side at Castle Park since his appointment as Director of Rugby this summer. Richards, the former Leicester Tigers and Newcastle Falcons coach, arrived with a clear brief to push the Knights towards the top of the table, and a first home match brings the first chance for his side to show what that looks like in front of their own supporters.

A response is exactly what will be expected after last weekend's heavy loss. Hartpury, by contrast, arrive full of confidence after grinding out a result the hard way, and will fancy their chances of making it back-to-back wins against a Doncaster side still finding its feet under a new coaching structure.

Jasper McGuire – Doncaster Knights

Fresh off the back of scoring two tries in the Knights’ defeat, all eyes will be on Jasper McGuire to see if he can help the Knights bounce back against Hartpury. The Knights are a team deep in talent – Telusa Veainu, Penaia Tagutu and Semesa Rokoduguni to name but three – but there’s no reason not to expect McGuire to continue his strong game one form in front of home fans. 

Harry Bazalgette – Hartpury 

It won’t have been a surprise to anyone to see last season’s top points scorer pick up exactly where he left off. Harry Bazalgette kicked six conversions from six against Caldy to help see his side over the line. With Hartpury needing a reliable boot in a tight contest, Bazalgette's control from the tee could once again prove decisive.

Can Doncaster Knights get their first win of the new season on home turf, or will Hartpury continue their hot start and make it two wins from two? Find out by tuning in to BLAZE on Sunday 27th from 3:30pm (4pm kick-off) for what promises to be an intriguing match-up.

Want more Elior Champ Rugby? BLAZE is the place to be, with live coverage continuing across the next seven weeks. Catch the action live on BLAZE, free on Freeview 64, Sky 156, Sky Glass/Sky Stream 169, Freesat 161 and Virgin 174, or stream via the free BLAZE app.